Adding a polyphenol-rich fiber bundle to food impacts the gastrointestinal microbiome and metabolome in dogs

Abstract

IntroductionPet foods fortified with fermentable fibers are often indicated for dogs with gastrointestinal conditions to improve gut health through the production of beneficial post-biotics by the pet's microbiome.MethodsTo evaluate the therapeutic underpinnings of pre-biotic fiber enrichment, we compared the fecal microbiome, the fecal metabolome, and the serum metabolome of 39 adult dogs with well-managed chronic gastroenteritis/enteritis (CGE) and healthy matched controls. The foods tested included a test food (TF1) containing a novel pre-biotic fiber bundle, a control food (CF) lacking the fiber bundle, and a commercially available therapeutic food (TF2) indicated for managing fiber-responsive conditions. In this crossover study, all dogs consumed CF for a 4-week wash-in period, were randomized to either TF1 or TF2 and fed for 4 weeks, were fed CF for a 4-week washout period, and then received the other test food for 4 weeks.ResultsMeaningful differences were not observed between the healthy and CGE dogs in response to the pre-biotic fiber bundle relative to CF. Both TF1 and TF2 improved stool scores compared to CF. TF1-fed dogs showed reduced body weight and fecal ash content compared to either CF or TF2, while stools of TF2-fed dogs showed higher pH and lower moisture content vs. TF1. TF1 consumption also resulted in unique fecal and systemic metabolic signatures compared to CF and TF2. TF1-fed dogs showed suppressed signals of fecal bacterial putrefactive metabolism compared to either CF or TF2 and increased saccharolytic signatures compared to TF2. A functional analysis of fecal tryptophan metabolism indicated reductions in fecal kynurenine and indole pathway metabolites with TF1. Among the three foods, TF1 uniquely increased fecal polyphenols and the resulting post-biotics. Compared to CF, consumption of TF1 largely reduced fecal levels of endocannabinoid-like metabolites and sphingolipids while increasing both fecal and circulating polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles, suggesting that TF1 may have modulated gastrointestinal inflammation and motility. Stools of TF1-fed dogs showed reductions in phospholipid profiles, suggesting fiber-dependent changes to colonic mucosal structure.DiscussionThese findings indicate that the use of a specific pre-biotic fiber bundle may be beneficial in healthy dogs and in dogs with CGE.

Prebiotic fiber blend supports growth and development and favorable digestive health in puppies

“…Fecal moisture decreased linearly and fecal score increased linearly throughout the treatment period, suggesting improved GI health and stool quality throughout the study. This aligns with previous work in adult dogs showing that food fortified with the prebiotic fiber blend has beneficial effects on stool quality, both over time and in comparison to dogs fed a control food without the fiber blend ( 24 , 25 , 27 ). The decline in fecal moisture in the puppies throughout the study duration is also indicative of reduced fecal water loss, which indicates a potential association between the test food and body water retention.…”

“…An increase in BCFA production has been associated with higher levels of harmful compounds, including uremic toxins ( 27 ). Previous studies have found a decrease in BCFAs in dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhea and an increase in some individual SCFAs in both healthy adult dogs and adult dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhea when fed a food fortified with this prebiotic fiber blend ( 24 , 25 , 27 ). The results of this present study are aligned with findings seen in adult dogs, and indicate a shift in the gut environment of puppies fed this novel prebiotic towards one that is more favorable for saccharolytic fermentation, which is associated with favorable GI function and overall health ( 27 , 34 ).…”

“…Selected fibers included in this prebiotic fiber blend are sourced from end-products produced by the human food industry, contributing to the global effort to reduce food waste ( 23 ). Previous studies in healthy adult dogs and those with chronic gastroenteritis/enteritis showed that this novel prebiotic blend positively affected stool quality, pH, SCFA production, and GI microbiome signatures and have also helped improve clinical signs of GI disease ( 24–27 ). In a study in adult cats with constipation or diarrhea, this prebiotic fiber blend rapidly and effectively resolved clinical symptoms ( 28 ).…”

Effect of the Probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE-CA9TM on Fecal Scores, Serum Oxidative Stress Markers and Fecal and Serum Metabolome in Healthy Dogs

“…In addition, it is important to note that the analysis of the microbiome by 16srRNA sequencing methods alone may not portray the full potential benefits of probiotics since these techniques merely detect the numbers of species in the samples analyzed. These analyses therefore neglect to investigate the functional effects of probiotics in the intestine, which can be better assessed through comprehensive fecal and serum metabolomics, which represent changes in the metabolic activity of the microbes, of the gut, and of the host, respectively [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Development of In Vitro Assays with the Canine Hookworm Uncinaria stenocephala and Assessment of Natural Plant Products for Anti-Parasitic Activity

“…Given the rising concerns regarding anthelmintic drug resistance in companion animals, and a wider appreciation of the drawbacks of using chemotherapy to treat infections in animals (e.g., chemical residues in the environment), there has been an increasing interest in the development of functional food components (e.g., phytochemicals) in pet foods that may improve gut health [30,31]. To this end, in the present study we explored whether natural plant-derived compounds may represent a novel treatment option for U. stenocephala.…”